So a tough away fixture away to title favourites Manchester City looms on Sunday in the early kick off, apart from being expected to finish top come May City also have a hundred percent record in the league at home although they have had to leave it late on occasions. Many are expecting AVB to spring a surprise with the lineup that he names but in all honesty why change a work in progress when it is about to come good. The bench is likely to look very different and there might even be a little more chopping and changing of positions as the wide open spaces of the Etihad will probably suit Tottenham.

We believe that AVB will go for pace in wide areas and use his fullbacks to find space when the forward thinking wide men cut inside and for that reason he has to ensure that centrally he chooses players for their mobility,awareness and covering ability and for that reason we believe it will be three powerful players, probably Sandro, Paulinho and Dembele, all are aware of their defensive duties while Dembele has the ability to beat players and quickly turn defence into attack, Paulinho has the ability to turn up on the end of balls into the box.

Surprisingly Danny Rose is still out injured, just what is the problem? but apart from him and Christian Eriksen AVB has a full compliment to choose from. He has interesting issues to overcome like choosing between Capoue or Sandro, both exceptional defensive players, Capoue has the edge aerially but Sandro, well he is just “The Beast”. Lennon and Townsend right or left using their pace and favoured foot to supply the lone striker? Lamela after a fantastic performance against Sheriff (almost ten minutes of his personal highlights and huge involvement in the game) and where would he play on the right or more akin to last years Gaeth Bale role. Who should start at leftback due to the continued absence of rose?

I doubt there will be too many surprises tomorrow other than perhaps from the bench, here I can see the long awaited introduction of Adebayor, hopefully introduced in the second half to help hold up play further upfield to protect the three points but if not to offer a different alternative to chase goals.

So many to choose from and we have to believe that he will get it absolutely spot on. Win or draw and everything will look far rosier, lose and nothing much really changes as let’s be honest Manchester City are expected to beat us on their own territory and the gap to top four will stil be negligible so early into the season.